The following is copied and edited from a post I placed in my local tri club's Facebook page (Vulcan Triathletes), my personal Facebook timeline, and in a post here. It offers a personal experience that relates to 2 common themes we triathletes like to opine about (drivers and nutrition). I got reminded that good people are in lots of places and that it is true that training and nutrition practices are varied and ultimately personal. I read a few studies and conversations over the last few years that indicated that a good deal of the information about the electrolyte replacement and sports drinks was wrong. Thus, I quit using them and focused more on drinking to thirst and eating "real food". Thus, I also dropped my previous reliance on GU and Stingers, and replaced it with homemade concoctions like this one.
Well, that was then, and this is now. I have NEVER cramped during exercise before and I have been during endurance training and events for over 20 years. I have never had GI issues, thus I think I started fixing something that was not broke. And, this happened, here's my post from this weekend [Sunday, June 22, 2014] with some edits:
I learned today that Birmingham, Alabama does have some very caring people both on bicycles and in cars. During a long ride today, I started having some cramping near CR-25 and Elliott heading towards CR-41, about 52 miles in to my planned 60 miles. I stopped and cooled down a bit, then completed the climb over the mountain towards 41. I turned right on 41 where 2 cyclists were stopped and chatting. They said "stay strong", I feigned a good "oh yeah". Within 1-2 miles (about 55 miles into the ride), my right leg cramped from inner thigh to foot. I stopped, but could barely hold the bike up. My right leg was locked in a full extended position and I could do nothing about it volitionally. My left leg wasn't as bad, but was cramping some too. The 2 cyclists (wished I had gotten their names) were there within seconds and noticed that I needed help. One of them did the needful, held me and the bike while I very awkwardly got off the bike and went to the ground to gain my composure. I was about to just fall.
Meanwhile, 2 cars pulled over gave me cold water and both offered to take me home in their cars. Max Whitfield, who lives at 41 & 25, took me home. I have recovered okay, but I couldn't possible express the bounty of my gratitude to the 4 caring, loving people that rescued me when I really needed it. Now, to analyze what I did wrong to end up in such a state. There are drivers in Birmingham that care about us. Max is one of them.
I am putting electrolytes back on the endurance nutrition plan for long workouts and paying a little more attention to pre workout caloric intake. I ate too lightly the night before this ride. At 30 ounces per hour I think I was drinking enough liquid. I am now experimenting with some of the products that have been mentioned here.
Glad I have time to adjust and look forward to NO more cramps. For all those people that shared their war stories about cramps with me previously, if I was not sympathetic, I will be next time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment